Dear editor:

Christmas experiences draw loved ones together and leave individuals with unique, meaningful memories. The anticipated winter holidays and traditions that go along with it create excitement for families around the world.

For example, my family and I travel down to Los Angeles for Christmas in order to visit cousins, aunts, uncles and my grandma. After the tedious four-hour drive, we go to my cousin Tiffany?s house and greet the large, energetic group that is my cousins.

Instead of waking up early on Christmas morning to open gifts in pajamas, my family opens all our gifts late at night on Christmas Eve. One of my uncle’s dresses up as Santa Claus and hands out gifts to all the eager cousins. After the gift opening has concluded, we eat a feast of Filipino food my aunts prepare.

To finish off the night of festivities, we all sing a mixture of Tagalog, a common language of the Philippines, and English Christmas songs until very late at night. Although my family celebrates differently than the traditional American family, the joys and laughter remain as a nostalgic memory in my heart.

Of course, not every Christmas has been a bundle of sterling memories. My worst Christmas experience happened two years ago. Instead of visiting my cousins in Los Angeles like we usually do, my family and I were required to go to my Great Aunt’s 80th birthday party at her beach house.

My brother and I got carsick on the three-hour drive to Pismo beach, the location of the party. The three hours dragged on, which put me in a terrible mood. When we arrived, a large, unfamiliar crowd of people surrounded us, which created an uncomfortable atmosphere.

The party seemed never-ending, but we got to leave early. Since it was Christmas, my brother begged my parents to let us open our presents at the hotel, but my father realized he left the gifts back home in Fresno.

Disappointed, we began to make dinner: turkey sandwiches. The sandwiches upset all our stomaches, which put us all in a terrible mood. We drove to Fresno three days later and held a late Christmas. Although the circumstances of my situation were glum, spending time with my family made the situation a little brighter.

No matter how Christmas is spent, joyful or unusual occasions result from the holiday. When Christmas happens, negativity evaporates and does not return until the following year.

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